Link between erectile dysfunction and heart attacks

A link between erectile dysfunction and heart attacks will be made by Professor Mike Kirby at the University of Hertfordshire Health and Human Sciences Research Institute Showcase today.

In a lecture entitled Research in Hertfordshire that has made a difference at the Showcase today (Tuesday 21 October) at 8.30pm, Professor Kirby from the University's Clinical Trials Co-Ordinating Centre will announce that clinical trials carried out at the University identified underlying cardiovascular disease among men with erectile dysfunction.

As a result of this finding the University has just got funding to do a trial to give these men statin and lipid lowering drugs to reduce their risk of developing the disease.

"Our research has shown that men experience erectile dysfunction four or five years before they have a heart attack," said Professor Kirby, author of the recently-published book on erectile dysfunction called Sleeping with Ed. "Erectile dysfunction is an early warning sign of underlying vascular disease and diabetes. It is crucial that men talk about it and don't ignore it."

The Health and Human Sciences Research Institute Showcase will host a variety of research being conducted by the University of Hertfordshire and will be held at the de Havilland Campus from 21-24 October. For further information, please visit: the Showcase website at: www.healthshowcase.co.uk.